Just a personal preference, with a neutral/transparent amp DX50 sounds true to what the music is presenting. I tried the same amp with AK100/AK120 and the sound is slightly colored. From what I heard the treble seems to have artificial details and added glitter.

Just a personal preference, with a neutral/transparent amp DX50 sounds true to what the music is presenting. I tried the same amp with AK100/AK120 and the sound is slightly colored. From what I heard the treble seems to have artificial details and added glitter.

Have you tried other amps? ALO amps are designed with AK in mind, not sure how they sound on the DX50 though

Have you tried other amps? ALO amps are designed with AK in mind, not sure how they sound on the DX50 though

I had an International paired with AK100 and also tried it with DX50 and imo they both sounded very good. Quite material compared to unamp'ed. More so for the AK100 than DX50 (maybe due to the 22ohm OI). But whether you like it would depends in if the International's warmish sound is your cup of tea.

With DX90 I am hoping it's amp section is better than DX50 to a point where an amp won't improve the sound much.

Just a personal preference, with a neutral/transparent amp DX50 sounds true to what the music is presenting. I tried the same amp with AK100/AK120 and the sound is slightly colored. From what I heard the treble seems to have artificial details and added glitter.

Sorry to deviate from the original topic, but wouldn't that mean that the amp is only giving more power, and by default, the DX50 doesn't need an amplifier?

To bring my off-topic back to the thread, i'm still considering if the DX90 would be worth it, already owning the DX50...

Sorry to deviate from the original topic, but wouldn't that mean that the amp is only giving more power, and by default, the DX50 doesn't need an amplifier?

To bring my off-topic back to the thread, i'm still considering if the DX90 would be worth it, already owning the DX50...

For the most part yes, but to my ear the HO of DX50 is not as transparent compared to using an external amp. So I use an amp for both iems and full-size can. Speaking of iems only, you don't need separate amp especially if you are happy with HO.

On paper DX90 is an upgrade over DX50. But still remains to be seem if the difference is substantial enough. This may differ for each individual.Edited by headwhacker - 3/6/14 at 7:43pm

For the most part yes, but to my ear the HO of DX50 is not as neutral compared to using an external amp. So I use an amp for both iems and full-size can. Speaking of iems only, you don't need separate amp especially if you are happy with HO.

On paper DX90 is an upgrade over DX50. But still remains to be seem if the difference is substantial enough. This may differ for each individual.

Ah i see, so you're basically compensating the signature with the "neutral" amp. I get it now.

Tech wise, it is an upgrade, and despite the fact that i like the ES9018 sound, i don't really think the DX90 would count as an upgrade for me at least, since most of my usage of the DX50 is in public transport, which is noisy as hell. I'm still going to try it out though... but i might not jump the gun on the preorder just yet.

Ah i see, so you're basically compensating the signature with the "neutral" amp. I get it now.

Tech wise, it is an upgrade, and despite the fact that i like the ES9018 sound, i don't really think the DX90 would count as an upgrade for me at least, since most of my usage of the DX50 is in public transport, which is noisy as hell. I'm still going to try it out though... but i might not jump the gun on the preorder just yet.

Actually, I was thinking of "transparent" but have written "neutral". I sometimes mix the two words.

I enjoy DX50 and I'm not really in a hurry to get a new one. Unless, I see a compelling reason. I'm closely looking at DX90, M, X5 in that order.